Texans could trade Jacoby Jones

Texans No. 1 draft pick Whitney Mercilus poses for a portrait in the Texans' locker room on Friday. The linebacker from Illinois was the 26th overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft.

Texans No. 1 draft pick Whitney Mercilus poses for a portrait in the Texans' locker room on Friday. The linebacker from Illinois was the 26th overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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The Texans selected Ohio State wide receiver DeVier Posey (8) with the 68th overall pick in the third round.

The Texans selected Ohio State wide receiver DeVier Posey (8) with the 68th overall pick in the third round.

Photo: Kyle Robertson / MCT

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The Texans selected Miami (Ohio) offensive lineman Brandon Brooks with the 76th overall pick in the third round.

The Texans selected Miami (Ohio) offensive lineman Brandon Brooks with the 76th overall pick in the third round.

Photo: Associated Press

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With their first pick in the fourth round, the Texans drafted Georgia’s Ben Jones, the second-ranked center behind Wisconsin’s Peter Konz.

With their first pick in the fourth round, the Texans drafted Georgia’s Ben Jones, the second-ranked center behind Wisconsin’s Peter Konz.

Photo: Brant Sanderlin / MCT

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Michigan State's Keshawn Martin (5-11, 189), who scored touchdowns five different ways for the Spartans, is an excellent return man.

Michigan State's Keshawn Martin (5-11, 189), who scored touchdowns five different ways for the Spartans, is an excellent return man.

Photo: Al Goldis / Associated Press

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Jared Crick (6-4, 279) played tackle at Nebraska. In the Texans’ three-man front, he’ll play end and move inside in passing situations. If he develops the way the coaches believe he will, Crick will be part of an inside rotation with J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith. less

Jared Crick (6-4, 279) played tackle at Nebraska. In the Texans’ three-man front, he’ll play end and move inside in passing situations. If he develops the way the coaches believe he will, Crick will be ... more

Photo: TOM FOX/Staff Photographer / The Dallas Morning News

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Randy Bullock, who won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker for Texas A&M last season, was drafted in the fifth round. He inherits the job vacated by Neil Rackers, who signed with Washington.

Randy Bullock, who won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker for Texas A&M last season, was drafted in the fifth round. He inherits the job vacated by Neil Rackers, who signed with Washington.

Whitney Mercilus holds a Houston Chronicle with his image on the front page after arriving in Houston. Merciless is sitting with his brother, Donald.

Whitney Mercilus holds a Houston Chronicle with his image on the front page after arriving in Houston. Merciless is sitting with his brother, Donald.

Photo: Bill Baptist / Houston Texans

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Whitney Mercilus poses for a portrait in the Texans' locker room.

Whitney Mercilus poses for a portrait in the Texans' locker room.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Whitney Mercilus adjusts his tie after walking into the Texans' locker room for the first time.

Whitney Mercilus adjusts his tie after walking into the Texans' locker room for the first time.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans number one draft pick Whitney Mercilus smiles as he arrives to his introduction news conference at Reliant Stadium.

Texans number one draft pick Whitney Mercilus smiles as he arrives to his introduction news conference at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Houston Texans No. 1 draft pick Whitney Mercilus poses for photos with a Texans jersey following a news conference at Reliant Stadium Friday, April 27, 2012, in Houston. The linebacker from Illinois was the 26th overall selection in the 2012 National Football League Draft. less

Houston Texans No. 1 draft pick Whitney Mercilus poses for photos with a Texans jersey following a news conference at Reliant Stadium Friday, April 27, 2012, in Houston. The linebacker from Illinois was the ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Whitney Mercilus stands with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to pose for photos following a news conference at Reliant Stadium Friday, April 27, 2012, in Houston. The linebacker from Illinois was the 26th overall selection in the 2012 National Football League Draft. less

Whitney Mercilus stands with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to pose for photos following a news conference at Reliant Stadium Friday, April 27, 2012, in Houston. The linebacker from Illinois was the 26th ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Champaign, Ill. less

Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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The Texans selected Ohio State wide receiver DeVier Posey, left, with the 68th overall pick in the third round.

The Texans selected Ohio State wide receiver DeVier Posey, left, with the 68th overall pick in the third round.

Photo: Jae C. Hong / AP

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Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier (5) scrambles past Illinois defensive tackle Whitney Mercilus (85) in the second overtime period of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, in Ann Arbor. Michigan won 67-65 in triple overtime. less

Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier (5) scrambles past Illinois defensive tackle Whitney Mercilus (85) in the second overtime period of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, in Ann Arbor. ... more

In this photo taken Sept. 10, 2011, Illinois defensive back Michael Buchanan (99) sacks South Dakota State quarterback Thomas O'Brien (4) during an NCAA college football game against in Champaign, Ill. With 26 sacks through seven games, Illinois has already sacked opposing quarterbacks three more times than it did in all of 2010. Buchanan has five and teammate Whitney Mercilus has 10 sacks, the best in the country. less

In this photo taken Sept. 10, 2011, Illinois defensive back Michael Buchanan (99) sacks South Dakota State quarterback Thomas O'Brien (4) during an NCAA college football game against in Champaign, Ill. With 26 ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Whitney Mercilus, one of the anticipated top picks in the NFL draft, arrives at the 9th annual ESPN The Magazine Pre-Draft Party at The Waterfront in New York, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, held on the eve of the draft. less

Whitney Mercilus, one of the anticipated top picks in the NFL draft, arrives at the 9th annual ESPN The Magazine Pre-Draft Party at The Waterfront in New York, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, held on the eve of the ... more

Photo: AP Images for ESPN The Magazine

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In this Oct. 15, 2011 file photo, Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and through Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of the NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. Twice suspended by the NCAA this year for accepting improper benefits, Dan "Boom" Herron is now adored by Ohio State fans because the team is winning and he's picking up big yardage. less

In this Oct. 15, 2011 file photo, Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and through Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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In this photo taken Oct. 15, 2011, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) combine to sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during an NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. With 26 sacks through seven games, Illinois has already sacked opposing quarterbacks three more times than it did in all of 2010. Mercilus has 10 sacks, the best in the country. less

In this photo taken Oct. 15, 2011, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) combine to sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during an NCAA college football game ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and through Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of the NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 in Champaign, Ill. less

Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and through Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of the NCAA college football game ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Illinois' defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during the first half of the NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 in Champaign, Ill. less

Illinois' defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during the first half of the NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and past defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Champaign, Ill. less

Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and past defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. ... more

Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs through Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of the NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 in Champaign, Ill. Ohio State defeated Illinois 17-7. less

Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs through Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of the NCAA college football game ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Penn State running back Silas Redd (25) rushes for 14-yards past Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. less

Penn State running back Silas Redd (25) rushes for 14-yards past Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Football players, from left, Whitney Mercilus, Devon Still, Morris Claiborne, Luke Kuechly, and Mark Barron pose with the Bronko Nagurski trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in college football and presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, during a news conference in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. Kuechly won the award. less

Football players, from left, Whitney Mercilus, Devon Still, Morris Claiborne, Luke Kuechly, and Mark Barron pose with the Bronko Nagurski trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in college football and ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus lines up during a practice for Saturday's Fight Hunger Bowl college football game against UCLA at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011.

Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus lines up during a practice for Saturday's Fight Hunger Bowl college football game against UCLA at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011.

Photo: Associated Press

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Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) is guarded by teammate Nate Swanson (64) during practice in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, in preparation for their Fight Hunger Bowl NCAA college football game scheduled for Dec. 31 against UCLA. less

The Texans could trade receiver Jacoby Jones on the last day of the draft.

If they get a deal they like, they’re expected to pull the trigger, but they’re not going to give away Jones, who is the most criticized player on the team when it comes to the fans. Since he muffed the punt in the playoff loss at Baltimore, Jones has become public enemy No. 1 to the fans.

One report said the Texans were trying to trade Jones to Cleveland for quarterback Colt McCoy. A deal like that would make sense. The Browns need more offensive weapons for first-round pick Brandon Weeden. They selected running back Trent Richardson in the first round, and now they need to bolster their receivers.

When Jones signed his last contract with the Texans, he turned down more money from Washington to remain in Houston. But the time might be right for him to get a new start.

The Texans used a third-round pick on Ohio State receiver DeVier Posey. They’re expected to draft another receiver on the last day of the draft, perhaps with one of three picks in the fourth round.

General manager Rick Smith isn’t shy about trading for picks. Could he possibily get a fourth-round pick for Jones?

We’ll find out Saturday when the last day of the draft concludes with the fourth through seventh rounds. The Texans have three picks in the fourth round and one in the fifth and sixth rounds.